Gallery: Carnival takes over Rio de Janeiro

Revellers take part in the "Cordao do Bola Preta" traditional carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 18, 2012.

Vanderlei Almeida
/ AFP/Getty Images

A crowd of revellers takes part in the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Vanderlei Almeida
/ AFP/Getty Images

A crowd of revellers take part in the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Vanderlei Almeida
/ AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of revellers take part in the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of revellers take part in the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

A reveller dressed as a suicide bomber stays by a police patrol car during in the "Cordao do Bola Preta" traditional carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 18, 2012.Vanderlei Almeida
/ AFP/Getty Images

Revellers pose during the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

Revellers dance during the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

Revellers pose during the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

A reveller poses during the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

Revellers walk during the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

A little girl poses with her mask during the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

A reveller poses during the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

Revellers dance during the traditional "Cordao do Bola Preta" carnival band parade along Rio Branco avenue, in downtown Rio de Janeiro on February 18, 2012.Christophe Simon
/ AFP/Getty Images

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